IPL 2022, PBKS vs CSK: Punjab Kings hold nerve against Chennai Super Kings to prevail by 11 runs

Punjab Kings went in with a more calculated batting approach led by the dependable Shikhar Dhawan, whose ninth half-century against Chennai Super Kings helped his side romp home by 11 runs, overcoming Ambati Rayudu's single-handed effort. Tottering at 40/3, Chennai needed the experience of Rayudu, whose 78 off 39 balls, comprising seven fours and six massive sixes, seemed to get the chase of 188 back on track. But it was the disciplined effort of the Punjab bowlers, especially Kagiso Rabada and comeback man Rishi Dhawan, that pulled the red and gold brigade back into the match. AS IT HAPPENED | SCORECARD | POINTS TABLERayudu's arrival with a slight limp raised Chennai's hopes of a turnaround. With the asking rate mounting to an excess of 11 an over, Rayudu's clean hits infused life back into the Wankhede crowd that was more or less a sea of yellow. The right-hander looked in ominous touch, taking Rishi to the cleaners for a four and a six before dispatching Liam Livingstone over the midwicket fence for his second six. He went on to bring up his half century by launching leg-spinner Rahul Chahar to the stands, before a hat-trick of sixes followed by a four against Sandeep Sharma almost turned the tide in Chennai's favour, until Rabada struck in the 18th over with Rayudu's wicket.

Earlier, Chennai were off to a forgettable start, losing Robin Uthappa (1) cheaply to Sandeep Sharma. The yellow brigade's ploy of promoting Mitchell Santner to up the ante completely misfired, as the Kiwi wasted 15 deliveries for his 9 runs before Arshdeep Singh knocked off his leg stump with a length ball to reduce the opposition to 30/2. Back into the IPL after five years, Himachal Pradesh's Rishi Dhawan, turning up with a transparent face